HOST SOCIETY

International Affairs Societies (IAS), ambitious to be the first international society at FCC, is here to link the university with international and local students. Not only does IAS support the international student body on FC campus, it also aims to provide an open platform to share cultures and experiences of living, studying and traveling abroad. It encourages the students to exchange different perspectives on current bustling international issues and provides them information about scholarship, internship and international conference opportunities. IAS membership is open for FC students who are enthusiastic about learning cultures and global issues.

HOST INSTITUTION

Forman Christian College was founded in 1864 by Dr Charles W Forman, a Presbyterian missionary from the USA. Initially known as the Lahore Mission College, the name was changed to Forman Christian College in 1894 in honor of the founder.

Degrees were first awarded through Calcutta University. After a hiatus from 1869 to 1886 because of illness among the faculty, degrees were awarded through the University of the Punjab. In 2004, Forman Christian College gained University status and it now offers baccalaureate, masters and MPhil degree programs.

The early years were marked by rapid growth in enrollment and a constant struggle to find enough space to house the growing college. Enrollment grew from 18 students in 1886 to 600 by 1915. Enrollment today stands at 4,664 students.

The College campus was originally located in Anarkali (Nila Gumbad) in downtown Lahore. There were four buildings on that campus by 1916, and Ewing Hall, built in 1916, is still used as a hostel today. In 1940 the College moved to its present campus on the scenic banks of the Lahore Canal. It soon became known as one of the best colleges on the subcontinent.

FCC was nationalized by the Pakistani government in 1972 and remained under government control until March 2003 when it was returned to its former owners, the Presbyterian Church (USA). The College began a new era in 2003 and hopes to continue to build on its strong heritage.